Collator

ABSTRACT

A collator for collecting a plurality of different sheets into groups from separate stacks of identical sheets, wherein the sheets are initially partially ejected from their respective stacks of identical sheets by an ejector, which then retreats, and the further removal of the sheets from the stacks is accomplished by the frictional engagement of a moving belt with the sheets, pushing them against an idler roller in timed relation to the withdrawal of the ejector, finally depositing the collated sheets at a collection station.

United States Patent Thomas Apr. 30, 1974 [5 COLLATOR 3,584,865 6/1971 Mignano 270/58 75 l t r: Wilb E. Thomas Wa ne, NJ. 1 nve n 0 ur I y Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell 1 Asslgnee: General Bmdlng Corporation Assistant ExaminerVance Y. Hum

Northbfook, Atlomey, Agent, or Firm-Popper, Bain, Bobis, Gilfil- 221 Filed: Aug. 17, 1972 & Rhodes Appl. No.: 281,455

[52] 11.8. C1. 270/58, 271/64 [51 Int. Cl B65h 39/02 158] Field of Search 270/58, 59; 271/64 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,514,095 5/1970 Hoff 270/58 2,663,564 12/1953 Meffert.... 270/59 3,580,563 5/1971 Bassett..... 271/64 X 3,173,680 3/1965 Dezoppy.. 270/58 3,669,442 6/1972 Thomas 270/58 ABSTRACT A collator for collecting a plurality of different sheets into groups from separate stacks of identical sheets, wherein the sheets are initially partially ejected from their respective stacks of identical sheets by an ejector, which then retreats, and the further removal of the sheets from the stacks is accomplished by the frictional engagement of a moving belt with the sheets, pushing them against an idler roller in timed relation to the withdrawal of the ejector, finally depositing the collated sheets at a collection station.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures COLLATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION needed to meet the increasing demand for a product of that kind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has been found that a collator can be provided which has a plurality of trays, for example eight, which are exposed for easy loading by the manipulation of a front pivotable door, which will rapidly and unerringly partially eject sheets from each of the plurality of trays of different stacks of sheets, by a conventional ejector mechanism, and moving belts will deflect them downwardly toward a collection station. From that point on,

in timed operation to the ejector being withdrawn, the

moving belt will be deflected until it engages the sheets, pinching them against an idler, and driving them rapidly to the collection station in a collated group, where they may be stapled together and discharged to a stacking station. The construction is relatively simple; repair of the apparatus is seldom required, and the collation is swift and sure.

DRAWINGS These objects and advantages as well as other objects and advantages may be obtained by the device shown by way of illustration in the drawings in which:

FIG. I is a vertical sectional side elevation showing the collator with. a series of sheets partially ejected from a plurality of trays; the dotted lines indicate the door pivoted outwardly for the easy insertion of stacks of sheets in the trays;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the-movable frame that presses the endless loop of the belt toward the idlers;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the belts which transport the partially ejected sheets to the secondary belts that carry them under a paper deflector to a collection station; and

FIG. 4 shows the drive train for the various operating components of the collator.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The collator provides a housing 11 having a plurality of paper trays 12 positioned with their open ends-extending upwardly at an angle of 45. In each paper tray 12, a paper ejector l3 (e.g. US. Pat. No. 2,844,370) is provided. The ejectors operate in concert, moving to eject a top sheet from a stack of paper in each tray in an outward direction, upwardly, and partly fromthe tray.

A door 14 is mounted pivotably at the bottom front of the housing 11, and it is hingedly movable outwardly as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 1, to permit convenient loading of the paper trays 12 with stacks of paper. The center of the door 14 is open, and is provided at the top and at the bottom with shafts 10, 15 upon each of which are mounted three pulleys 16. Three belts 17 run on the pulleys 16. Only the bottom shaft 10 is driven, and in a direction to move the faces of the belt which are toward the trays l2, downwardly. Thus when sheets of paper are partially ejected from the paper trays 12 sufficiently to encounter the belts 17, the belts curl the leading edge of each of the sheets in a downward direction as shown in FIG. 1.

Outside of the loop of the belt 17, a pair of idler rollers 18 are mounted, spaced away from the normal course of the belts and close to the trays 12. As the partially ejected sheets are deflected downwardly by edge contact with the moving belts 17, the sheets are intruded into the space between the idler rollers 18 and the downwardly moving faces of the belts 17. When the ejectors 13 have reached the point of maximum ejection for each sheet of paper from each of the paper trays 12, the ejectors l3 retreat; they are of such a construction as not to retract the partially ejected sheets of paper. Thus the sheets at that moment are partially ejected from the paper trays. Idler rollers 18 are positioned so that each partially extended sheet is intruded between the idler rollers 18 and the belts 17. In the illustration collator, with eight paper trays 12, one upper idler roller '18 is so positioned for the uppermost four trays 12, and lower idler roller 18 is so positioned for the lowermost four trays 12. If a stacked array of more than eight trays 12 were used, additional idler roller or rollers I8 would be required in order that all of the extended sheets of each tray 12 would overlap each other and lay over. a roller.

A frame or mounting I9 is positioned within the loop of the belts 17. The frame 19 is rectangular and has mounted on it, four pressure rollers 20; two rollers 20 are opposite each of the outer belts 17, excluding the middle belt of the three belts 17. The frame 19 is attached on opposite sides to links 21, and the links 21 are attached to a rotatable shaft 22 mounted on the door 14. When shaft 22 is rotated by the links 21, the frame 19 moves the belts l7 outwardly, i.e., the four rollers 20, engage the inside of thebelts 17, and deflect them outwardly, until they engage the idler rollers 18. The moving belts l7 press'the intervening sheets of paper against the idler rollers 18; the belts 17 have taken over from the ejectors 12, and move the sheets downwardly to a first collection station 23 where they are held up by paper stops 24. A pivotable paper deflector 25 mounted free on the shaft 10 sits over the collection station 23, and seats the sheets on the paper stops 24.

A motor 26 in the housing 1], drives a pulley 27. This pulley 27 is mounted on a shaft 28. A sprocket 29 is connected by a chain 30 to a sprocket 8 on the shaft 28; the gear 29 drives a shaft 10 upon the belt pulleys 16 which carry the belts l7-are mounted.

Another sprocket 31 is mounted on the shaft 28; it drives a series of reduction gears, which ultimately drive another shaft 32 by the chains 33. The shaft 32 carries a series of cams.

A belt deflector cam 34 is mounted on the shaft 32, and engages a cam follower 39, which in turn operates the link 21. The frame 19 is deflected on timed relation to the withdrawal of the ejectors 13. Where the ejectors 13 leave off the ejection of sheets, the frame 19 is caused to deflect the running belts 17 to engage or press the partially extended sheets against the idlers I8, and move them on to the first collection station 23.

A paper-release cam 35 is also mounted on the shaft 32. This cam 35 is dimensioned to drop the paper stops 24 in timed relation to the complete seating of sheets on the paper stops 24 at the first collection station 23. The cam 35 operates to release a collated set of sheets from collection station 23 when the paper release cam 35 drives the paper stop 24 to descend, thereby releasing the collated sheets from the paper stop.

To carry the sheets to the collection station 23 to rest against the paper stop 24, two belts 45 move downwardly and outwardly over the surface of the collection station 23. These belts 45 operate on pulleys 46 mounted at the lower end on the axle 47 and on the upper end on the axle 52. The axle 52 carries a sprocket 51 to engage the chain 30, so that sheets on top of the belts 45 move downward and outward.

Loading of the collator involves pivoting the door 14 outwardly and downwardly to the position shown by the dotted lines in F IG. 1 to expose the trays 12. Different stacks of identical sheets are inserted in each tray. The door 14 is then returned to the position shown by the solid lines in FIG. 1. The motor 26 is started and the ejectors 13 operate in conventional manner to move the top sheet of each stack out of the tray. When the edges of the sheets touched the belts 17, they are deflected downwardly toward the idlers 18. It is noted that normally, the belts 17 are spaced away from the idler rollers 18. When the sheets have reached maximum ejection by the ejectors 13 (i.e., this is about three quarters of the way out of the tray) the sheets overlap the idlers 18. Then the ejectors retreat. The operation of the ejectors 13 in any suitable manner, and may be particularly done by a crank driven by the motor 26 which reciprocates the ejectors 13 as shown schematically in FIG. 4 and in detail in my US. Pat. No. 2,993,692 (July 25, I961) FIGS. 7, 11 and 14.

Then the belts 17 are in spaced relation to the sheets and can do nothing to move them. When the ejectors have reached maximum position before retreating, then the cam 34 operates in timed relation to the ejectors 13, operates the cam follower 39, which operates the link to drive the frame 19 toward the idlers 18. The belts 17 are then deflected so that the rollers 20 press the belts 17 toward the idlers 18. The sheets are pressed or pinched between the downwardly moving belts l7, and the idlers and are whisked down onto the belts 45 against the stops 24 at the collection station 23. The conventional stapler (not shown) may fasten them together here, whereupon the cam 35, operates the release 24, to allow the belts 45 to eject the collated set of sheets from the collection station 23.

What is claimed is:

l. A collator comprising a. a plurality of trays for holding a stack of sheets,

b. means in the trays for moving top sheets of the stacks outwardly from the trays to contact a belt,

0. a pivotable door disposed in front of trays when the sheets are moved from the trays,

d. a first endless belt mounted for rotation on the door, and in position to intercept the sheets moving outwardly from the trays, and to deflect them toward an idler roller,

e. means to drive the belt, and to drive the means for moving the sheets from the trays,

f. an idler rollerin spaced relation to the belt and adjacent to the trays, over which roller the sheets are deflected,

g. means within the loop of the belt to move the first belt periodically in timed relation to the retreat of the means to move the top sheet, to press the belt toward the sheets and the idler roller, and to frictionally engage the sheets in the nip of the belt and the roller for movement with the belt.

2. A collator comprising a. thedevice according to claim 1,

b. a second belt to carry on sheets received from between the first belt and the idler,

c. a stop positioned to intercept sheets on the second belt,

(1. the means to drive operably connected to the second belt.

3. A collator comprising a. the device according to claim 2,

b. a pivotable paper deflector extending over the second belt to guide sheets to the stop.

4. A collator comprising a. the device according to claim 1,

b. a second belt to carry on sheets received from between the first belt and the idler,

c. a stop positioned to intercept sheets on the second belt,

(1. the means to drive operably connected to the second belt,

e. the stop operably connected to the means to drive, for intermittent operation in timed relation to halt the delivery of a collated set of sheets by the second belt.

5. A collator comprising a. the device according to claim 1,

b. the trays for holding stacks of sheets disposed at an angle of approximately 45 from horizontal.

6. -A collator comprising a. a plurality of trays for holding a stack of sheets,

b. first and second means operating successively for moving sheets,

c. the first means operating in the trays for moving top sheets of the stacks outwardly from the trays,

d. the second means comprising A. an endless belt positioned to intercept edges of sheets moving outwardly from the trays, B. means operably connected to drive the belt and the first means, C. an idler roller over which the sheets are deflected, positioned in spaced relation to the belt,

D. means operably connected to the means to drive, to movethe driven belt to press the sheets against the idler roller,

E. the means to move the driven belt being within the loop of the driven belt, and operated periodically in timed relation to the retreat of the first means operating in the trays, to press the belt toward the idler roller.

7. A collator comprising a. a plurality of trays for holding a stack of sheets,

b. means in the trays for moving top sheets of the stacks outwardly from the trays to contact a belt,

c. a pivotable door disposed in front of trays when the sheets are fed from the trays,

d. a first endless belt mounted for rotation on the door, and in position to intercept the edges of sheets moving outwardly from the trays, and to deflect them toward an idler roller,

e. means to drive the belt, and to drive the means for moving the sheets from the trays,

f. an idler roller in spaced relation to the belt and adjacent to the trays, over which roller the sheets are deflected,

g. means within the loop of the belt to move the first belt periodically in timed relation to the retreat of the means to move the top sheet, to press the belt toward the sheets and the idler roller, and to frictionally engage the sheets in the nip of the belt and the roller for movement with the belt,

h. the means to move the first belt to press the sheets against the idler roller comprising A. a link,

B. an axle mounted on the link,

C. a frame pivotably mounted in the axle,

D. a pressure roller mounted on the frame opposite to the idler roller with the first belt in between the rollers,

E. a cam follower connected to the link,

F. a cam engaged with the cam follower,

G. the cam operably connected to the means to drive, for periodic operation of the pressure roller, in timed relation to the retreat of the means in the trays for moving the top sheet of the stacks, whereby the pressure roller moves the belt toward the-idler roller.

8. A collator comprising a. the device according to claim 7,

b. the first belt normally moving in spaced relation to the idler rollers,

c. the first belt deflectable by the roller on the frame from its normal course toward the idler roller.

9. A collator comprising a. a plurality of trays for holding a stack of sheets,

b. means in the trays for moving top sheets of the stacks outwardly from the trays to contact a belt,

c. a pivotable door disposed in front of the trays when the sheets are fed from the trays,

d. a first endless belt mounted for rotation on the door, and in position to intercept the edges of the sheets moving outwardly from the trays, and to deflect them toward an idler roller,

e. means to drive the belt, and to drive the means for moving the sheets from the trays,

f. an idler roller in spaced relation to the belt and adjacent to the trays, over which roller the sheets are deflected,

g. means within the loop of the belt to move the first belt periodically in timed relation to the retreat of the means to move the top sheet, to press the sheets against the idler roller and to frictionally engage the sheets for movement with the belt,

h. a second belt to carry on sheets received from between the first belt and the idler,

i. a stop positioned to intercept sheets on the second belt,

j. the means to drive operably connected to the sec- 0nd belt,

k. the stop operably connected to the means to drive, for intermittent operation to halt the delivery of a collated set of sheets by the second belt,

I. the means to move the first belt to press the sheets against the idler roller comprising A. a link,

B. an axle mounted on the link,

C. a frame pivotably mounted in the axle,

D. a pressure roller mounted on the frame opposite to the idler roller with the first belt in between the rollers,

E. a cam follower connected to the link,

F. a cam engaged with the cam follower,

G. the cam operably connected to the means to drive, for periodic operation of the pressure roller in timed relation to the retreat of the means in the trays for moving the top sheet of the stacks, whereby the pressure roller moves the belts toward the idler roller. 

1. A collator comprising a. a plurality of trays for holding a stack of sheets, b. means in the trays for moving top sheets of the stacks outwardly from the trays to contact a belt, c. a pivotable door disposed in front of trays when the sheets are moved from the trays, d. a first endless belt mounted for rotation on the door, and in position to intercept the sheets moving outwardly from the trays, and to deflect them toward an idler roller, e. means to drive the belt, and to drive the means for moving the sheets from the trays, f. an idler roller in spaced relation to the belt and adjacent to the trays, over which roller the sheets are deflected, g. means within the loop of the belt to move the first belt periodically in timed relation to the retreat of the means to move the top sheet, to press the belt toward the sheets and the idler roller, and to frictionally engage the sheets in the nip of the belt and the roller for movement with the belt.
 2. A collator comprising a. the device according to claim 1, b. a second belt to carry on sheets received from between the first belt and the idler, c. a stop positioned to intercept sheets on the second belt, d. the means to drive operably connected to the second belt.
 3. A collator comprising a. the device according to claim 2, b. a pivotable paper defLector extending over the second belt to guide sheets to the stop.
 4. A collator comprising a. the device according to claim 1, b. a second belt to carry on sheets received from between the first belt and the idler, c. a stop positioned to intercept sheets on the second belt, d. the means to drive operably connected to the second belt, e. the stop operably connected to the means to drive, for intermittent operation in timed relation to halt the delivery of a collated set of sheets by the second belt.
 5. A collator comprising a. the device according to claim 1, b. the trays for holding stacks of sheets disposed at an angle of approximately 45* from horizontal.
 6. A collator comprising a. a plurality of trays for holding a stack of sheets, b. first and second means operating successively for moving sheets, c. the first means operating in the trays for moving top sheets of the stacks outwardly from the trays, d. the second means comprising A. an endless belt positioned to intercept edges of sheets moving outwardly from the trays, B. means operably connected to drive the belt and the first means, C. an idler roller over which the sheets are deflected, positioned in spaced relation to the belt, D. means operably connected to the means to drive, to move the driven belt to press the sheets against the idler roller, E. the means to move the driven belt being within the loop of the driven belt, and operated periodically in timed relation to the retreat of the first means operating in the trays, to press the belt toward the idler roller.
 7. A collator comprising a. a plurality of trays for holding a stack of sheets, b. means in the trays for moving top sheets of the stacks outwardly from the trays to contact a belt, c. a pivotable door disposed in front of trays when the sheets are fed from the trays, d. a first endless belt mounted for rotation on the door, and in position to intercept the edges of sheets moving outwardly from the trays, and to deflect them toward an idler roller, e. means to drive the belt, and to drive the means for moving the sheets from the trays, f. an idler roller in spaced relation to the belt and adjacent to the trays, over which roller the sheets are deflected, g. means within the loop of the belt to move the first belt periodically in timed relation to the retreat of the means to move the top sheet, to press the belt toward the sheets and the idler roller, and to frictionally engage the sheets in the nip of the belt and the roller for movement with the belt, h. the means to move the first belt to press the sheets against the idler roller comprising A. a link, B. an axle mounted on the link, C. a frame pivotably mounted in the axle, D. a pressure roller mounted on the frame opposite to the idler roller with the first belt in between the rollers, E. a cam follower connected to the link, F. a cam engaged with the cam follower, G. the cam operably connected to the means to drive, for periodic operation of the pressure roller, in timed relation to the retreat of the means in the trays for moving the top sheet of the stacks, whereby the pressure roller moves the belt toward the idler roller.
 8. A collator comprising a. the device according to claim 7, b. the first belt normally moving in spaced relation to the idler rollers, c. the first belt deflectable by the roller on the frame from its normal course toward the idler roller.
 9. A collator comprising a. a plurality of trays for holding a stack of sheets, b. means in the trays for moving top sheets of the stacks outwardly from the trays to contact a belt, c. a pivotable door disposed in front of the trays when the sheets are fed from the trays, d. a first endless belt mounted for rotation on the door, and in position to intercept the edges of the sheets moving outwardly froM the trays, and to deflect them toward an idler roller, e. means to drive the belt, and to drive the means for moving the sheets from the trays, f. an idler roller in spaced relation to the belt and adjacent to the trays, over which roller the sheets are deflected, g. means within the loop of the belt to move the first belt periodically in timed relation to the retreat of the means to move the top sheet, to press the sheets against the idler roller and to frictionally engage the sheets for movement with the belt, h. a second belt to carry on sheets received from between the first belt and the idler, i. a stop positioned to intercept sheets on the second belt, j. the means to drive operably connected to the second belt, k. the stop operably connected to the means to drive, for intermittent operation to halt the delivery of a collated set of sheets by the second belt, l. the means to move the first belt to press the sheets against the idler roller comprising A. a link, B. an axle mounted on the link, C. a frame pivotably mounted in the axle, D. a pressure roller mounted on the frame opposite to the idler roller with the first belt in between the rollers, E. a cam follower connected to the link, F. a cam engaged with the cam follower, G. the cam operably connected to the means to drive, for periodic operation of the pressure roller in timed relation to the retreat of the means in the trays for moving the top sheet of the stacks, whereby the pressure roller moves the belts toward the idler roller. 